System for measuring the density of liquid alkali metals

Abstract

The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of density of test materials, and specifically to a system for measuring the density of liquid alkali metal, which includes: an alkali metal container for containing liquid alkali metal; a heating device for providing heat to the alkali metal container; a tension measuring piece and a measuring fitting, wherein the measuring fitting is suspended on the tension measuring piece so that the tension exerted on the measuring fitting is measured by the tension measuring piece; a measuring lifting device configured to drive the tension measuring piece and the measuring fitting to rise and fall relative to the alkali metal container so that the measuring fitting can descend from above the liquid surface of the liquid alkali metal in the alkali metal container to below the liquid surface; and a vibration damping member provided on the measuring lifting device for reducing the vibration amplitude of the tension measuring piece when the measuring lifting device drives the tension measuring piece to rise and fall. The measurement system provided by the embodiments of the present application can reduce the vibration amplitude of the tension measuring piece when it is lifted and lowered, which is beneficial to improving the accuracy of the measurement results of the density of the liquid metal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of density testing materials, and in particular to a system for measuring the density of liquid alkali metal. Background Art

[0002] The statements herein merely provide background information related to the present application and do not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0003] Liquid alkali metals, as an excellent heat transfer medium, are widely used in the chemical, metallurgical, energy, pharmaceutical, and nuclear industries. The density of liquid alkali metals is a crucial parameter in their application. To ensure their full and rational utilization, it is necessary to measure their density.

[0004] Currently, when measuring the density of a liquid, a spherical container is typically filled with the liquid to be measured. However, since liquid alkali metals do not wet the materials commonly used in spherical containers, this can easily lead to inaccurate density measurements due to the lack of liquid alkali metal inside the spherical container. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A brief overview of the present application is provided below to provide a basic understanding of certain aspects of the present application. It should be understood that this overview is not an exhaustive overview of the present application. It is not intended to identify key or important portions of the present application, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present application. Its purpose is simply to present certain concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that will be discussed later.

[0006] In response to the above-mentioned problems, an embodiment of the present application provides a system for measuring the density of liquid alkali metal (hereinafter referred to as the measurement system), which includes an alkali metal container, a heating device, a tension measuring piece, a measuring fitting, a measuring lifting device, and a vibration damping member. The alkali metal container is used to contain liquid alkali metal; the heating device is used to provide heat to the alkali metal container so that the liquid alkali metal in the alkali metal container is at a preset temperature; the measuring fitting is suspended on the tension measuring piece so that the tension applied to the measuring fitting is measured by the tension measuring piece; the measuring lifting device is configured to drive the tension measuring piece and the measuring fitting to rise and fall relative to the alkali metal container so that the measuring fitting can descend from above the liquid surface of the liquid alkali metal in the alkali metal container to below the liquid surface, thereby determining the density of the liquid alkali metal based on the change in tension measured by the tension measuring piece; the vibration damping member is provided on the measuring lifting device to reduce the vibration amplitude of the tension measuring piece caused by the measuring lifting device when the tension measuring piece is driven up and down by the measuring lifting device.

[0007] The measurement system provided in the embodiment of the present application measures the change in tension of a measuring fitting during the process of descending from above the liquid surface of liquid alkali metal to below the liquid surface through a tension measuring piece, so as to determine the density of the liquid alkali metal based on the change in tension measured by the tension measuring piece; since a vibration damping piece is provided, the vibration amplitude of the tension measuring piece caused by the tension measuring piece when the measuring lifting device drives the tension measuring piece to rise and fall can be reduced, which can improve the accuracy of the measurement results of the tension measuring piece, and thus is also conducive to improving the accuracy of the measurement results of the liquid metal density. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Other objects and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present application.

[0009] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of a system for measuring the density of liquid alkali metal provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0010] Figure 2 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a measuring lifting device of a system for measuring the density of liquid alkali metal provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the components of the system for measuring the density of liquid alkali metal provided by an embodiment of the present application, omitting the measuring lifting device and the glove box.

[0012] Description of reference numerals:

[0013] 100. Measurement system;

[0014] 10. Alkali metal containers;

[0015] 20. Heating device; 21. Outer shell; 211. Top cover; 22. Inner shell; 23. Shell connector; 231. Connecting cylinder; 232. Connecting flange; 24. Cooling assembly; 241. First cooling element; 2411. First cooling chamber; 242. Second cooling element; 2421. Second cooling chamber; 201. Heating chamber; 202. Inlet and outlet passages;

[0016] 30. Tensile measuring parts;

[0017] 40. Measure mating parts;

[0018] 50. Measuring and lifting device; 51. Moving part; 52. Moving matching part; 53. Container lifting device; 531. Moving part; 532. Moving matching part;

[0019] 60. Vibration damping member; 61. Steel plate; 62. Reinforcement member;

[0020] 70. Support plate;

[0021] 80. Glove box; 81. Bottom wall; 82. Opening;

[0022] 90. Baffle; 91. Main body; 92. Edge; 93. Through hole;

[0023] 101. Flexible thin wire; 103. Connecting pipe; 106. Temperature measuring device; 108. Computer;

[0024] 11. Sealing member; 111. Cover member; 112. Connecting member; 12. Sealing fitting; 121. Bellows; 122. Connecting fitting; 123. Bottom wall connecting member; 124. Sealing ring;

[0025] 200. Cooling water system; 300. Inert gas source; 310. Gas pipeline.

[0026] It should be noted that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but are merely shown in a schematic manner that does not affect the reader's understanding. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of clarity and conciseness, not all features of actual implementations are described in the specification. However, it should be understood that many implementation-specific decisions must be made in the process of developing any such actual implementation in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as meeting those constraints related to the system and business, and these constraints may vary depending on the implementation. In addition, it should be understood that although the development work may be very complex and time-consuming, it is a routine task for those skilled in the art who benefit from the content of this application.

[0028] It is also necessary to explain here that, in order to avoid obscuring the present application due to unnecessary details, the accompanying drawings only show the device structure and / or processing steps that are closely related to the solution according to the present application, while other details that are not closely related to the present application are omitted.

[0029] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2An embodiment of the present application provides a system for measuring the density of liquid alkali metal (hereinafter referred to as the measurement system 100), which may include an alkali metal container 10, a heating device 20, a tension measuring member 30, a measurement fitting member 40, and a measurement lifting device 50. The alkali metal container 10 is used to contain liquid alkali metal; the heating device 20 is used to provide heat to the alkali metal container 10 to keep the liquid alkali metal in the alkali metal container 10 at a preset temperature; the measurement fitting member 40 is suspended from the tension measuring member 30 so that the tension applied to the measurement fitting member 40 can be measured by the tension measuring member 30; and the measurement lifting device 50 is configured to drive the tension measuring member 30 and the measurement fitting member 40 to rise and fall relative to the alkali metal container 10, so that the measurement fitting member 40 can be lowered from above the liquid level of the liquid alkali metal in the alkali metal container 10 to below the liquid level, thereby determining the density of the liquid alkali metal based on the change in tension measured by the tension measuring member 30.

[0030] The measurement system 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application uses a tension measuring member 30 to measure the change in tension of a measuring fitting 40 as it descends from above the liquid surface to below the liquid surface of a liquid alkali metal, thereby determining the density of the liquid alkali metal based on the change in tension measured by the tension measuring member 30. The inventors of the present application have discovered that the density of the liquid alkali metal measured using the measurement system 100 still suffers from inaccuracy. Through experiments, the inventors of the present application discovered that the measurement and lifting device 50 generates minute vibrations when driving the tension measuring member 30 and the measuring fitting 40 to rise and fall. This minute vibration results in inaccurate tension measurements by the tension measuring member 30, and thus inaccurate density measurements.

[0031] Therefore, in the embodiment of the present application, the measurement system 100 further includes a vibration damper 60, which is disposed on the measurement lifting device 50 and is used to reduce the vibration amplitude of the tension measuring member 30 caused by the measurement lifting device 50 when the tension measuring member 30 is raised or lowered. Because the vibration damper 60 can reduce the vibration amplitude of the tension measuring member 30 during the raising or lowering of the tension measuring member 30, the accuracy of the measurement results of the tension measuring member 30 is improved, and thus the accuracy of the measurement results of the liquid metal density is also improved.

[0032] See also Figure 3 In some embodiments, the measuring fitting 40 may be suspended on the tension measuring member 30 via a flexible thin line 101. In some embodiments, the tension measuring member 30 may be a balance.

[0033] In some embodiments, the alkali metal container 10 may be a crucible. In some embodiments, the alkali metal container 10 may be made of nickel.

[0034] In some embodiments, the volume V2 of the fitting member 40 and the tension change F measured by the tension measuring member 30 can be measured. ΔAnd the temperature T2 of the liquid alkali metal when the density is measured, determine the density ρ of the liquid alkali metal.

[0035] Specifically, the volume V2 of the fitting 40 and the change F of the tension measured by the tension measuring unit 30 are measured. Δ The temperature T2 of the liquid alkali metal when measuring the density and the density ρ of the liquid alkali metal satisfy the following relationship:

[0036]

[0037] F Δ =F1-F2,

[0038] V2=V0(1+α(T2-T1)).

[0039] In the above expression, g represents the acceleration due to gravity; F1 represents the tension measured by the tension measuring part 30 when the measuring fitting 40 is above the liquid surface of the liquid alkali metal; F2 represents the tension measured by the tension measuring part 30 when the measuring fitting 40 is below the liquid surface of the liquid alkali metal; V0 represents the volume of the measuring fitting 40 calibrated with deionized water at room temperature; T1 represents the temperature of the deionized water when calibrating the measuring fitting 40; α represents the volume thermal expansion coefficient of the measuring fitting 40 at T2; wherein, the volume thermal expansion coefficient α of the measuring fitting 40 at T2 can be determined by searching for information.

[0040] See also Figure 3 In some embodiments, the vibration damper 60 may include multiple steel plates 61 stacked vertically. In such an embodiment, the multiple steel plates 61 function as a counterweight, allowing the vibration damper 60 to reduce the vibration amplitude of the tension measuring member 30 during lifting and lowering. The multiple steel plates 61 may weigh, for example, 20 kilograms.

[0041] In some embodiments, the measurement system 100 may further include a support plate 70, which is disposed on the vibration damping member 60, and the tension measuring member 30 is disposed on the support plate 70. The center of gravity of the support plate 70 and the tension measuring member 30 may be located on the multiple steel plates 61, or a perpendicular line passing through the center of gravity of the support plate 70 and the tension measuring member 30 may pass through the multiple steel plates 61, thereby facilitating the vibration damping member 60 to reduce the vibration amplitude of the tension measuring member 30 during lifting and lowering.

[0042] In some embodiments, the support plate 70 is formed with a through hole for the flexible wire 101 to pass through.

[0043] See also Figure 3In some embodiments, the vibration damper 60 may further include a reinforcement member 62 for reinforcing the plurality of steel plates 61. In such an embodiment, since the plurality of steel plates 61 are heavy, reinforcing the plurality of steel plates 61 with the reinforcement member 62 is beneficial for improving the stability of the plurality of steel plates 61.

[0044] In some embodiments, the reinforcement member 62 is, for example, a triangular steel plate, and two right-angled sides of the triangular steel plate are respectively connected to the multiple steel plates 61 and the moving member 51 to reinforce the multiple steel plates 61 .

[0045] See also Figure 3 In some embodiments, the measurement and lifting device 50 may include a moving member 51, a moving matching member 52, and a driving member. The moving member 51 is connected to the vibration-damping member 60. The driving member drives the moving member 51 to move vertically relative to the moving matching member 52, thereby driving the vibration-damping member 60 and the support plate 70 to move upward and downward, thereby driving the measurement matching member 40 to enter or exit the heating chamber 201.

[0046] In some embodiments, the measurement fitting 40 may be a metal block with a smooth surface. In some embodiments, the measurement fitting 40 may be made of a material that is not corroded by alkali metals, such as stainless steel or molybdenum.

[0047] In some embodiments, the measurement fitting 40 can be made of a material that is non-wettable by the liquid alkali metal. This prevents the surface tension of the liquid alkali metal from affecting the tensile force measured by the tensile force measuring member 30, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the density measurement results of the liquid alkali metal. In some embodiments, the material of the measurement fitting 40 can be nickel.

[0048] See also Figure 2 In some embodiments, the heating device 20 may form a heating chamber 201 and an access channel 202 communicating with the heating chamber 201. In some embodiments, the measurement system 100 may further include a container lifting device 53 for driving the alkali metal container 10 into or out of the heating chamber 201 through the access channel 202. In such an embodiment, by driving the alkali metal container 10 into or out of the heating chamber 201 via the container lifting device 53, the heating device 20 can be used to heat the alkali metal container 10 while facilitating cleaning of the alkali metal container 10.

[0049] In some embodiments, the container lifting device 53 and the measuring lifting device 50 are arranged in the glove box 80, and the bottom wall 81 of the glove box 80 forms an opening 82; the heating chamber 201 is arranged below the glove box 80, and the inlet and outlet channel 202 is connected to the glove box 80 through the opening 82.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present application, a glove box 80 can provide an inert gas environment for measuring the density of liquid alkali metals. Liquid alkali metals, such as liquid sodium and liquid potassium, can react with water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and the like to produce oxides, carbonates, and other substances. These substances form a film-like structure on the surface of the liquid alkali metal in the form of an amorphous multiphase solid, affecting the accuracy of the density measurement results of the liquid alkali metal. In an embodiment of the present application, by providing an inert gas environment for measuring the density of the liquid alkali metal in the glove box 80, it is possible to prevent the liquid alkali metal from reacting with water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and the like, thereby improving the accuracy of the density measurement results of the liquid alkali metal.

[0051] In some embodiments, the glove box 80 may use an inert gas as a protective gas, such as argon. Figure 1 In some embodiments, an external inert gas source 300 is connected to the glove box 80 through a gas pipeline 310 to allow external inert gas to enter the glove box 80; wherein, the inert gas source 300 can be an inert gas bottle, such as an argon gas bottle.

[0052] In some embodiments, the container lifting device 53 may include a moving member 531, a moving matching member 532, and a driving member. The moving member 531 is connected to the alkali metal container 10, and the driving member drives the moving member 531 to move vertically relative to the moving matching member 532 to drive the alkali metal container 10 to move up and down.

[0053] In some embodiments, the measuring lifting device 50 may be disposed on the moving part 531 .

[0054] See also Figure 2 In some embodiments, the measurement system 100 may further include a seal 11 and a seal fitting 12. The seal 11 is connected to the container lifting device 53, and the alkali metal container 10 is connected to the seal 11. The seal fitting 12 is disposed within the glove box 80. When the container lifting device 53 drives the alkali metal container 10 downward into the heating chamber 201, the seal 11 can sealably engage with the seal fitting 12 to seal the heating chamber 201 and reduce the diffusion of alkali metal vapor into the glove box.

[0055] In some embodiments, the sealing member 11 includes a cover 111 and a connector 112 disposed around the periphery of the cover 111. The sealing member 12 includes a bellows 121, a connector 122, and a sealing ring 124. The bellows 121 is disposed within the glove box 80 and is sealedly connected to the periphery of the opening 82. The sealing ring 124 is disposed on the connector 122. The connector 122 is disposed at the top of the bellows 121. When the container lifting device 53 moves the alkali metal container 10 downward into the heating chamber 201, the connector 112 compresses the bellows 121 and forms a sealed connection with the connector 122. In such an embodiment, as the container lifting device 53 moves the alkali metal container 10 downward into the heating chamber 201, the connector 112 first contacts the connector 122 and compresses the bellows 121 until the alkali metal container 10 descends to the measurement position. The connector 112 and the mating connector 122 are subject to both the forces of the bellows 121 and the container lifting device 53, further facilitating a seal therebetween. Furthermore, because there is a certain distance between the connector 112 and the mating connector 122 and the bottom wall 81 of the glove box 80 (at least a distance greater than the compressed length of the bellows 121), it is easier to clamp the connector 112 and the mating connector 122 using a clamping device, such as a clamp, thereby further strengthening the seal therebetween and reducing alkali metal leakage.

[0056] The connector 112 and the connector fitting 122 can be quick-release flanges, such as KF flanges. During operation, the cover 111 and the bellows 121 can be separated by simply touching the KF flange connection between the connector 112 and the connector fitting 122, which is easy to operate.

[0057] In some embodiments, the measurement system 100 further includes a connecting pipe 103, through which the alkali metal container 10 is connected to the cover 111. The connecting pipe 103 enters and exits the heating chamber 201 through an inlet and outlet passage 202. The measuring fitting 40 enters the heating chamber 201 through the connecting pipe 103. In such an embodiment, the alkali metal container 10 is connected to the container lifting device 53 via the cover 111 and the connecting pipe 103, which helps improve the stability of the alkali metal container 10 during the lifting process of the container lifting device 53.

[0058] In some embodiments, the flexible wire 101 can be located radially inward of the connecting tube 103. In some embodiments, the measurement system 100 can further include a container connector, on which the alkali metal container 10 is disposed, and which is connected to the connecting tube 103. The container lifting device 53 can move the connecting tube 103, thereby moving the container connector and the alkali metal container 10, allowing the alkali metal container 10 to enter or exit the heating chamber 201 through the heating channel. In some embodiments, the container connector can be a frame structure capable of accommodating a cup-shaped container, such as a basket.

[0059] See also Figure 2 In some embodiments, a bottom wall connector 123 is formed at one end of the bellows 121 facing the bottom wall 81 of the glove box 80, and the bellows 121 is connected to the bottom wall 81 via the bottom wall connector 123. In some embodiments, the bellows 121 is also sealed to the periphery of the opening 82 of the glove box 80 via the bottom wall connector 123. The bottom wall connector 123 may be, for example, a flange.

[0060] See also Figure 2 In some embodiments, the measurement system 100 may further include a multi-layer baffle 90 disposed on the connecting pipe 103 at intervals along the extending direction of the connecting pipe 103 to reduce the diffusion of alkali metal vapor. In some embodiments, the number of layers of the multi-layer baffle 90 may be 4 to 6, for example, 4.

[0061] See also Figure 2 In some embodiments, the baffle 90 may include a main body 91 located radially inward, with the main body 91 extending radially outward and downward from the connecting pipe 103. The main body 91 extending radially outward and downward from the connecting pipe 103 facilitates both the entry of steam into the connecting pipe 103 and the downward dripping of condensed alkali metal vapor.

[0062] See also Figure 2 In some embodiments, the baffle 90 may further include an edge portion 92 extending vertically downward from the radially outer end of the main body 91. In such an embodiment, the edge portion 92 extending vertically downward from the radially outer end of the main body 91 helps prevent the alkali metal vapor entering the baffle 90 from flowing upward along the gap between the baffle 90 and the inlet and outlet channel 202, thereby helping to reduce the vapor pressure in the heating chamber 201 and thereby reducing the vaporization of the alkali metal during the measurement process.

[0063] See also Figure 2In some embodiments, the measurement system 100 may further include a temperature measuring component 106, which is disposed on the cover 111 and is used to measure the temperature of the liquid alkali metal in the alkali metal container 10. The heating device 20 may adjust the heating power according to the temperature measured by the temperature measuring component 106 so that the liquid alkali metal in the alkali metal container 10 is at the measurement temperature.

[0064] The temperature measuring element 106 may be, for example, a thermocouple. In some embodiments, the temperature measuring element 106 may extend from the cover 111 to near the liquid surface of the liquid alkali metal to measure the temperature of the liquid alkali metal.

[0065] See also Figure 2 In some embodiments, through-holes 93 are formed at corresponding positions of the multi-layer baffle 90 to allow the temperature measuring element 106 to pass through. When the temperature measuring element 106 passes through the through-holes 93, it does not contact the baffle 90, thereby preventing the baffle 90 from affecting the measurement results of the temperature measuring element 106 and ensuring the temperature measurement accuracy of the temperature measuring element 106.

[0066] See also Figure 2 In some embodiments, the temperature measuring component 106 is set on the cover 111 through fasteners. When the container lifting device 53 drives the connecting cylinder 231 to move, the cover 111 moves with the connecting cylinder 231, and the temperature measuring component 106 can move with the cover 111 through the fasteners.

[0067] See also Figure 2 In some embodiments, the heating device 20 may include an outer shell 21, an inner shell 22, a heating element, and a housing connector 23. The inner shell 22 is disposed within the outer shell 21, forming a heating chamber 201. The heating element is disposed within the outer shell 21 to heat the inner shell 22. The housing connector 23 is disposed outside the outer shell 21 and is connected to the inner shell 22. The housing connector 23 forms an inlet and outlet passage 202 and is also sealed to the periphery of the opening 82 of the glove box 80. The provision of the housing connector 23 to connect the inner shell 22 and the glove box 80 facilitates improving the sealing of the heating chamber 201.

[0068] The inventors of the present application discovered that the high temperature of the connection between the housing connector 23 and the inner shell 22 can increase the temperature of the bottom wall 81 of the glove box 80 connected to the housing connector 23, thereby adversely affecting the sealing of the glove box 80. Therefore, in some embodiments, the measurement system 100 also includes a cooling assembly 24 for cooling the housing connector 23. In the embodiments of the present application, by providing the cooling assembly 24 to cool the housing connector 23, the bottom wall 81 of the glove box 80 is prevented from overheating and adversely affecting the sealing of the glove box 80.

[0069] See also Figure 2In some embodiments, the shell connector 23 may include a connecting cylinder 231 and a connecting flange 232. The connecting flange 232 is arranged at the end of the connecting cylinder 231 away from the heating chamber 201. The connecting cylinder 231 is connected to the inner shell 22, and the connecting flange 232 is sealed to the periphery of the opening 82 of the glove box 80.

[0070] In some embodiments, the cooling assembly 24 may include a first cooling member 241 sleeved on the connecting cylinder 231 for cooling the connecting cylinder 231. The first cooling member 241 forms a first cooling cavity 2411, which is in communication with the external cooling water system 200. The connecting cylinder 231 is cooled by circulating cooling water from the cooling water system 200 through the first cooling cavity 2411.

[0071] The inventors of the present application discovered that since the inner shell 22 is connected to the top cover 211 of the outer shell 21 , the heat of the inner shell 22 is transferred to the top cover 211 and then to the bottom wall 81 of the glove box 80 in the form of heat radiation.

[0072] To address this issue, in some embodiments, the cooling assembly 24 may further include a second cooling member 242. The second cooling member 242 is located below the first cooling member 241 and is sleeved on the connecting cylinder 231. The second cooling member 242 is used to cool the connecting cylinder 231 and the top cover 211 of the housing 21. The second cooling member 242 forms a second cooling cavity 2421, which is also connected to the external cooling water system 200. The cooling water from the cooling water system 200 circulates through the second cooling cavity 2421 to cool the top cover 211 of the housing 21 and the connecting cylinder 231.

[0073] In some embodiments, the second cooling chamber 2421 substantially covers the top cover 211 of the outer shell 21 to minimize heat transfer from the heating chamber 201 to the bottom wall 81 of the glove box 80 via thermal radiation. In the embodiments of the present application, the provision of the first cooling element 241 and the second cooling element 242 significantly reduces heat transfer from the inner shell 22 to the bottom wall 81 of the glove box 80.

[0074] In some embodiments, the lowest baffle 90 among the plurality of baffles 90 is lower than the top cover 211, while at least one of the plurality of baffles 90 may be higher than the top cover 211, thereby being located radially inward of the cooling assembly 24. In such an embodiment, the lower baffle 90 facilitates heat preservation of the heating chamber 201, while the upper baffle 90 facilitates liquefying the alkali metal vapor using the cooling energy provided by the cooling assembly 24. The main body 91 extending radially outward and downward from the connecting tube 103 facilitates guiding vapor into the connecting tube 103, maintaining the temperature within the connecting tube 103, preventing condensation of the alkali metal vapor on the flexible wire 101, and thereby reducing errors in the measured tensile force.

[0075] In some embodiments, the heating device 20 may further include an insulation layer, which is disposed between the outer shell 21 and the inner shell 22 and is used to insulate the inner shell 22. The heating element may be disposed in the insulation layer. In some embodiments, the insulation layer may include a top insulation layer, a bottom insulation layer, a side insulation layer, and an external insulation layer. The top insulation layer and the side insulation layer are disposed radially outward of the inner shell 22, and the side insulation layer may connect the top insulation layer and the bottom insulation layer; the external insulation layer is disposed radially outward of the top insulation layer, the bottom insulation layer, and the side insulation layer, and is used to connect the top insulation layer, the bottom insulation layer, and the side insulation layer.

[0076] In some embodiments, the heating device 20 may further include a radial cooling element disposed radially outwardly of the insulation layer to uniformize the temperature of the heating chamber 201. In such an embodiment, the radial cooling element uniformizes the temperature of the heating chamber 201, thereby preventing condensation of alkali metal vapor on the flexible wire 101 and thereby reducing errors in the measured tensile force.

[0077] In some embodiments, a radial cooling element can be used to minimize the temperature difference within the heating chamber 201 by less than 1°C. In some embodiments, the radial cooling element forms an annular cooling chamber, within which a spirally extending coil is disposed. The coil is connected to an external cooling water system 200. Cooling water from the cooling water system 200 flows within the coil to exchange heat with the heating chamber 201, thereby ensuring a uniform temperature within the heating chamber 201.

[0078] In some embodiments, the measurement system 100 may also include an electrical measurement system for automated control and recording of density measurements. Figure 1In some embodiments, the electrical measurement system may include a computer 108, which can control the container lifting device 53 and the measuring lifting device 50 to achieve automatic lifting of the two; the computer 108 can also control the heating element to achieve controllable temperature increase and constant temperature heating of the heating element; the computer 108 can also record the temperature measured by the temperature measuring element 106 and the tension measured by the tension measuring element 30, and calculate the density of the alkali metal.

[0079] The following describes a process of measuring the density of liquid sodium using the measurement system 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0080] First, the volume of the measuring fitting 40 is calibrated using deionized water of known density at room temperature. Then, the mode of the glove box 80 is set to a circulation purification mode. When the water and oxygen content in the glove box 80 is less than or equal to 1 μL / L, the density of the liquid sodium is measured.

[0081] Afterwards, the computer 108 controls the container lifting device 53 to drive the alkali metal container 10 out of the heating chamber 201 from the inlet and outlet channel 202, and the solid metallic sodium sample is placed in the alkali metal container 10, ensuring that the liquid sodium formed after the added solid metallic sodium melts can immerse the measuring fitting 40; the alkali metal container 10 containing the solid metallic sodium sample is placed on the container connector.

[0082] Afterwards, the computer 108 controls the container lifting device 53 to allow the alkali metal container 10 to enter the heating chamber 201 through the inlet and outlet channel 202, and the heating chamber 201 is sealed using the sealing member 11; external cooling water enters each cooling member to cool the heating chamber 201 and the shell connector 23.

[0083] Computer 108 then controls the heating element, setting the heating chamber 201's heating rate to 2-5°C / min and the constant-temperature heating time to 120 minutes. After the constant-temperature heating is complete, the measuring assembly 40 is lowered by the measuring lift 50, gradually immersed in the liquid sodium until it is completely submerged. Finally, computer 108 determines the density of the liquid sodium based on the change in tension measured by the balance 30, the temperature of the liquid sodium, and the volume of the measuring assembly 40.

[0084] Regarding the embodiments of the present application, it should also be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present application and the features therein can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.

[0085] The above are only specific implementation methods of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. The protection scope of the present application shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A system for measuring the density of liquid alkali metal, characterized in that include: an alkali metal container for containing liquid alkali metal; a heating device for providing heat to the alkali metal container so that the liquid alkali metal in the alkali metal container is at a preset temperature; a tension measuring piece and a measuring matching piece, wherein the measuring matching piece is suspended on the tension measuring piece so that the tension on the measuring matching piece can be measured by the tension measuring piece; a measuring and lifting device configured to drive the tension measuring member and the measuring fitting to rise and fall relative to the alkali metal container, so that the measuring fitting can be lowered from above the liquid surface of the liquid alkali metal in the alkali metal container to below the liquid surface, thereby determining the density of the liquid alkali metal based on the change in tension measured by the tension measuring member; a vibration damping member, provided on the measuring lifting device, for reducing the vibration amplitude of the tension measuring member caused by the measuring lifting device driving the tension measuring member to rise and fall; The vibration damping member comprises a plurality of steel plates arranged in a vertically overlapping manner; The system further comprises: A support plate is provided on the vibration damping member, and the tension measuring member is provided on the support plate; wherein the center of gravity of the support plate and the tension measuring member is located on the plurality of steel plates; The heating device forms a heating chamber and an inlet and outlet passage communicating with the heating chamber; The system further comprises: a sealing member, the alkali metal container being connected to the sealing member; the sealing member comprising a cover member; a connecting pipe, the alkali metal container is connected to the cover through the connecting pipe, the connecting pipe enters or leaves the heating chamber through the inlet and outlet passage, and the measuring fitting enters the heating chamber through the connecting pipe; Multi-layer baffles are provided on the connecting pipe at intervals along the extension direction of the connecting pipe, and are used to reduce the diffusion of alkali metal vapor to the outside; The blocking piece includes a main body portion located radially inward, and the main body portion extends obliquely downward from the connecting pipe toward the radially outward; The blocking piece further includes an edge portion, which extends vertically downward from a radially outer end portion of the main body portion.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The vibration damping member further includes a reinforcing member for supporting the plurality of steel plates.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The system further comprises: a container lifting device, used for driving the alkali metal container into or out of the heating chamber through the entry and exit passage; The container lifting device and the measuring lifting device are arranged in a glove box, and an opening is formed on the bottom wall of the glove box; The heating chamber is arranged below the glove box, and the inlet and outlet passage is communicated with the glove box through the opening.

4. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that The sealing member is connected to the container lifting device; The system further includes: a sealing fitting disposed in the glove box. When the container lifting device drives the alkali metal container to move downward into the heating chamber, the sealing fitting can be sealed with the sealing fitting to seal the heating chamber.

5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that The sealing member further comprises a connecting member provided on the periphery of the cover member; The sealing fitting comprises: a bellows, disposed in the glove box and sealed to the periphery of the opening; A connecting fitting and a sealing ring arranged on the connecting fitting, wherein the connecting fitting is arranged at the top end of the bellows, and when the container lifting device drives the sealing member to move downward into the heating chamber, the connecting member can compress the bellows and seal the connecting fitting.

6. The system according to claim 3, wherein: The heating device comprises: shell; an inner shell, disposed in the outer shell, the inner shell forming the heating chamber; a heating element, disposed in the outer shell and used to heat the inner shell; a housing connector, disposed outside the outer shell, connected to the inner shell, forming the inlet and outlet passage, and further sealingly connected to the periphery of the opening of the glove box; A cooling component is arranged outside the shell and is used to cool the shell connector.

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